When an emergency strikes,
most often a natural disaster such as a flood or major snowstorm, some of the
first things we do are seek news and information so we can be informed as to
what is happening, contact friends and family to check on them and to reassure
them that we’re okay, or alternatively, seek emergency assistance.There are many types of emergencies, some
forcing people to shelter in place and others forcing people to evacuate, but
loss of power make each of them more difficult to cope with. There are many
options for keeping in contact.This
document is intended to provide basic knowledge about several alternatives.

The most basic requirement
is an emergency receiver, something that can be used in almost any circumstance
to receive news, weather, and other information.There are quite a few emergency receivers on
the market today.Most will receive AM,
FM and the National Weather Service.It
is essential that the radio have a crank handle so that the battery can be
recharged without an external source of power.Most models today also include solar cells for recharging in the sun,
and a built in flashlight.Something
small and light will be a big advantage, if you are ever forced to travel on
foot, with your essential supplies strapped to your back.

Most people today have cell
phones, and tend to assume that their service will continue to work in an
emergency.The reality is a bit
different.When demand is high, cells
can reach capacity, leaving many unable to get a dial tone or to receive
calls.Typically, officials will request
that people not use their cell phones except in dire circumstances, so that
first responders can use their cell
phones.If a power outage is widespread
and lengthy though, the batteries that power the cell towers in those
situations can run dry, bringing down the entire cell phone system.With those cautions in mind, it is
nevertheless advisable to have a means to recharge your cell phone batteries.Many emergency radios now include a USB
socket for just that purpose.It may
take some effort to locate a cable to adapt your phone, but keeping that phone
available to you is well worth it.There
is a company that sells a broad range of charging solutions under the brand
name iGo.

What to do then, if you want
to prepare for the possible loss of cell phone service?Radio, is the one form of telecommunications
that does not depend on someone else’s infrastructure.

Several radio services available
to the average citizen, with different power limits:

CB-Citizen’s
Band5 Watts

FRS-Family
Radio Service500 mW(1/2 Watt)

GMRS-General Mobile
Radio Service5 Watts / 50 Watts

XRS-(not
a formal FCC service)1 Watt

ARS-Amateur
Radio Serviceup to
1500 Watts

These services operate in different
parts of the radio spectrum:

CB-11
meters

FRS-65
cm

GMRS-65 cm

xRS-33
cm(Cordless phone spectrum)

Ham-From
160 meters to 24 cm in 16 bands

Due to the nature or radio
wave propagation, lower frequencies (longer wavelengths) will generally travel
further than higher frequencies.

CB, FRS, and xRS are not
licensed.

xRS radios are only
available from a single manufacturer.

GMRS is licensed, but there
is no test.

The FCC currently grants
three classes of license for the Amateur Radio Service:

Technician

General

Amateur
Extra

Each class of amateur
license requires passing a technical exam that covers things such as
electronics, radio wave propagation, radio design, antenna design, and the FCC
rules.There is no longer a Morse Code requirement for any class of Amateur Radio license.

Some important points:

1) None of these services except
xRS allow the transmission of encrypted
signals. The FCC demands that it be able to monitor all transmissions.

2) Amateur radio may not be
used for any commercial purpose.

3) Amateurs train for and
have extensive emergency communication capabilities.The Allegheny County Emergency operations
center for instance, includes a ham radio station that is manned in emergencies,
to expedite the availability of information to first responders.

4) Amateurs for the most
part police themselves, and they are serious about it.

5) Like any hobby, there's
almost no limit to what one can spend. Basic 2 meter hand-held radios,
(HTs, or Handi-Talkies) start at around $100.